# Restore default IDE settings

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/2026.3/llms.txt).

In IntelliJ IDEA 2020.1, the configuration paths [have been changed](https://blog.jetbrains.com/idea/2020/03/intellij-idea-2020-1-eap7/#auto_import_of_settings). That is why the information in this section is valid for IntelliJ IDEA of version 2020.1 and later. If you use a previous version of IntelliJ IDEA, add the version number to the page URL in order to access the corresponding documentation. For example, if you use IntelliJ IDEA 2019.3, type `www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/2019.3/configuring-project-and-ide-settings.html`.

When you restore the default IDE settings, IntelliJ IDEA backs up your configuration to another directory. You can always restore your settings from that backup.

Procedure: Back up your settings and restore the defaults

1. Go to `File | Manage IDE Settings | Restore Default Settings`.

Alternatively, press  `Shift` (Windows), `Shift` (macOS), `Shift` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `Shift` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Shift` (XWin), `Shift` (GNOME), `Shift` (KDE), `Shift` (Emacs), `Shift` (Sublime Text), `Shift` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Shift` (Visual Studio), `Shift` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Shift` (NetBeans), `Shift` (Eclipse), `Shift` (Eclipse (macOS)) twice and type `Restore default settings`.

IntelliJ IDEA shows a confirmation popup:

![A popup prompting to confirm that you want to restore the default settings](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/restore-ide-defaults.png)

2. In the confirmation popup that opens, click Restore and Restart. The IDE will be restarted with the default configuration.

When IntelliJ IDEA restores the default IDE settings, it creates a backup directory with your configuration in:

Windows:

Syntax
: `%APPDATA%\JetBrains\<product><version>-backup`

Example
: `C:\Users\JohnS\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\IntelliJIdea2026.3-backup`

macOS:

Syntax
: `~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/<product><version>-backup`

Example
: `~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2026.3-backup`

Linux:

Syntax
: `~/.config/JetBrains/<product><version>-backup`

Example
: `~/.config/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2026.3-backup`

Procedure: Apply the IDE settings from a backup

1. In the main menu, go to `File | Manage IDE Settings | Import Settings`.

2. In the dialog that opens, specify the [path](#backup-dir) to the backup directory and click Open.

IntelliJ IDEA shows a confirmation popup. Note that after you apply the settings from the backup, these settings will be overwritten with your current IDE configuration.

Apart from the backup configuration directory, you can select the configuration directory from another IntelliJ IDEA version or a `.zip` file with the previously [exported settings](sharing-your-ide-settings.html#import-export-settings).

3. Click Restart to apply the settings from the backup and restart the IDE.